Your recruit will be introduced to his/her drill instructors for the first time at the end of the first week after arriving in boot camp. Indeed, this is one of the defining moments of a recruit's training.

How do recruits move from first meeting their DIs to holding them in the highest esteem in just 13 weeks? The drill instructor creed, below, says it all. These are not just words; this is the 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, 13-week mindset of every instructor with your recruit. The drill instructors do not go home at the end of the day when they are training a platoon--they stay with the platoon. They sacrifice much to live by this creed and they will make sure your son or daughter earns the title of "United States Marine".

Note: There is a slang term used for the day recruits first meet their Drill Instructors, which is often a Friday but could also be a Saturday: "Black Friday". At the advice of some Drill Instructors who do not care for the term, we discourage the use of this slang.

United States Marine Corps Drill Instructor Creed

"These recruits are entrusted to my care. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of the Corps and country. I will demand of them and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and professional skill."

Dedication ~ Leadership ~ Integrity

Our Sons are in good hands, the Marines and Drill Instructors our sons come in contact with are the cream of the crop! They are true professionals and will train our sons to the best of their abilities. Every day our sons will be their top priority. I put all my trust in the professionals that will take my son though the toughest training in the world. Our sons are in good company!
—Quote from a Marine with a son in recruit training

To this day, my son as well as every Marine I have met, continue to hold their DIs and SDI (Drill Instructors and Senior Drill Instructor) in the highest esteem and with intense respect. Your son or daughter will do the same.
—From the Founder, Tracy Della Vecchia

Every Marine will tell you that they may not remember what they ate yesterday, but they will always remember their drill instructors. Drill instructors are highly trained professionals who are the foundation to the process of making Marines. Working countless hours, they ensure that recruits receive the best training possible to prepare them for the rigors they will face as a Marine. It is the drill instructors who serve as the model and who teach recruits about Ethics and the Marine Corpsí Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
—Marine Mom and Marine Parents Volunteer, 2009